Spring gaff



y 1951 D. M. BRACE 2,553,235

SPRING GAFF Filed March 2, 1946 INVEN TOR. D O/VALD M. BRA 05 A T TORNE Y Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to fishin tackle, and has particular reference to a device for retrieving a fish which has been caught on a hook, and which has been maneuvered into position alongside of a boat or the like.

An object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated, which is spring actuated and automatically operable when brought into contact with a fish or other object to be retrieved.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated, which is constructed and arranged in such manner that it may be held in one hand, and may be cocked by placing the foot between the spring arms.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated, which is constructed and arranged in such manner that when the device is tripped from the cooked position, it will effect a substantial grappling action.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawings forming part of the within disclosure, in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the jaws and supporting plates.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the edge of the elements shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the device shown in Fig. 1, when it is in cocked position ready to retrieve a fish.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be understood that in the embodiment herein disclosed, my device consists of a handle I havin a ferrule 8 at one end, to which is mounted by a rivet 9 or other suitable means, a pair of diverging spring arms II] and II, to the ends of which are pivoted as at I2 and I3, the grappling jaws I4 and I5.

The jaws I4 and I5 are provided with sharp tines I6, which upon the pivoting of the jaws I4 and I5 inwardly, effect an inward and upward motion. The spring arms I and II are bent as at I"! so that the end thereof may lie in a plane parallel with the jaws I4 and I5. The jaws I4 and I are pivoted as at I8 and I9, between a pair of matched plates 20 and 2I.

A serrated trigger member 22, having inclined edges 23, is also positioned between the plates 2 20 and 2!, and secured thereto by means of rivets 24. The inclined edges 23 of the trigger member 22 serve as abutments for the ends 25 and 26 of the jaws I4 and I5, when the device is in its cocked position as shown in Fig. 4,.

It will be noted that the pivot points I8 and I9 are off center, so that the jaws I4 and I5 may be held in cocked position by spring arms I0 and II, and so that the sprin arms III and II may effectually close the jaws I4 and I5 after the pivot points I2 and I3 have traveled past the center line of the pivot points I8 and I9, on the closing motion of the jaws I4 and I5.

It will also be noted that an are 21 is formed on the inside corner of the jaws I4 and I5, so that the jaws may readily be rotated about the pivot points I8 and I9.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When a fisherman has a large fish on the end of his line, and has maneuvered the fish to the side of the boat or the like, he takes my improved spring gaff in one hand, and places one foot between the spring arms I0 and II, forcing the trigger 22 away from him. The movement of the trigger member 22 away from the operator, causes the jaws I4 and I5 to rock outwardly and inwardly on their pivot points I8 and I9, and under the influence of the spring arms I0 and II. When the jaws I4 and I5 reach the position shown in Fig. 4, the ends 25 and 26 abut against the edges 23 of the trigger member 22, and will remain in this position until the device is tripped.

The tripping operation is the reverse of the cooking operation just described. In tripping the device, the trigger member 22 is forcibly moved against the fish 28 (Fig. 4), so that the impact of the trigger 22 with the body of the fish 28 causes the trigger 22 to move upwardly, at the same time causing the fixed ends of the jaws I4 and I5 to move in the same direction and pivot about the pivots I3 and I9 and I2 and I3, under the influence of the spring arms I0 and l I. After the pivot points I8 and I9 have passed the center line of the pivot points I2 and I3, the free ends of the jaws I4 and I5 will move inwardly to imbed the hooks I5 in the body of the fish, so that it may not escape.

Having described the invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, including a pair of diverging spring'arms, having jaws pivoted to said arms, the combination of a pair of matched plates covering the ends of and pivotally supporting said jaws, and a fiat serrated trigger member secured between said plates and DONALD M-.. BRACE.

4 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 168,335 Jencks Oct. 5, 1875 674,865 Harrington May 28, 1901 689,743 Norlund Dec. 24, 1901 10 1,-008f724 v Lenderman -Nov. 14, 1911 HOltZ Apri 21, 1925 

